Method for handling waste material, refuse and the like

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is described for the handling of waste material, refuse and the like. Such waste material is normally deposited in large sized trash cans each of which are provided with an opening located near the closed bottom end thereof. A mobile unit is provided with suction generating means coupled to a flexible elongated hose of relatively large diameter. The flexible elongated hose, preferably of a corrugated type, has an outwardly directed flange spaced inwardly from its free end and adapted to be seated upon the upper circular edge of a trash can with the marginal portion of the free end of the hose protruding slightly into the interior of the can. Energization of the suction generating means enables the contents of the refuse container to be easily and rapidly removed.

United States Patent Bauman et al.

[ METHOD FOR HANDLING WASTE MATERlAL, REFUSE AND THE LIKE [73.] Assignee: Acme-Hamilton Manufacturing Corporation, Trenton. NJ.

221 Filed: Nov. 12,1973

211 App]. No.: 414,741

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 286,573, Sept. 5. 1972, Pat. No. 3.8l9.069. which is a division of Ser. No. l2l,865. March 18, 197i. Pat. No. 3.688,802.

[ June 17, 1975 /1969 lO/l97l Daneman /340 X Vita 2l4/83.28 X

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Ostrolenk, Faber. Gerb and Soffen ABSTRACT A method and apparatus is described for the handling of waste material, refuse and the like. Such waste material is normally deposited in large sized trash cans each of which are provided with an opening located near the closed bottom end thereof. A mobile unit is provided with suction generating means coupled to a flexible elongated hose of relatively large diameter. The flexible elongated hose, preferably of a corru- 8| p 11/60 gated type, has an outwardly directed flange spaced [58] 23 152 inwardly from its free end and adapted to be seated H i f upon the upper circular edge of a trash can with the marginal portion of the free end of the hose protrud- [56] References Cited ing slightly into the interior of the can. Energization of the suction generating means enables the contents of UNITED STATES PATENTS the refuse container to be easily and rapidly removed. 2,570,070 lO/ll Palmer 2l4/3l0 3,297,242 H1967 Karp 232/1 R 1 Claim, 18 Drawing Figures i 8 0 5 25) C 1 i ll [1 i i I .L l0 J Dr L 1 (f w g9 Z/Q, [i i)" W2 4/4, 17%: m4 mu PATENTEDJUN 17 ms SHEET 1 METHOD FOR HANDLING WASTE MATERIAL, REFUSE AND THE LIKE This is a division of application Ser. No. 286,573 filed Sept. 5, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,819,069, dated June 25, 1974, which, in turn, is a division of application Ser. No. 121,865 filed Mar. 8, 1971, now U.s. Pat. No. 3,688,802, dated Sept. 5, 1972.

The present invention relates to waste handling systems and more particularly to a novel method and apparatus for removing waste material from a refuse con tainer through the use of a refuse container and vacuum hose of novel design.

There presently exist a wide variety of techniques for collection of trash, waste material and other refuse. One of the most widespread techniques consists of mobile units, normally operated by the Sanitation Depart ment of a city, township or other municipality. The mobile units are provided with large volume storage means for receiving refuse. The mobile units travel along the streets of the municipality. Usually one individual in addition to the driver of the mobile unit walks to the refuse cans left by the roadside, lifts the refuse container and deposits its contents into the refuse storage means. In certain applications the refuse is compacted to increase the storage capacity of the mobile units.

The present invention is characterized by providing a system not heretofore employed for the collection of waste material from waste containers and is comprised of a mobile unit having a vacuum generating source and an elongated flexible hose coupled thereto. The hose is mounted upon the mobile unit in such a way as to be simply and readily movable so as to be positioned over and upon a refuse container. The mobile unit is provided with compacting means to enhance the storage capability of the mobile unit.

The free end of the vacuum hose is provided, in one embodiment, with a circular flange spaced inwardly from said free end and adapted to be seated upon the upper open end of a refuse container. The surface of the flange engaging the open end of the refuse container is preferably formed of a flexible resilient material so as to generally conform to the contour of the upper lip of the refuse container. The remaining marginal portion of the free end extending beyond the flange protrudes into the interior of the refuse container. One alternative embodiment employs a serrated flange portion. As a further alternative, the flange may be omitted.

The refuse container is provided with an opening near its bottom (closed) end so as to provide a continu ous path for the flow of air. Suitable means are provided for preventing blockage of the opening in the refuse container so as to expedite the flow of air therethrough. The method and apparatus of the present invention greatly facilitates the handling and disposal of refuse by eliminating the need for transport ofa refuse container to the storage bin of the mobile unit, requir ing only that the lid, if any, of the refuse container be removed and that the vacuum hose be placed over and upon the refuse container so as to withdraw its contents by the vacuum generating means.

The opening in the refuse container is preferably located so as to prevent any liquid collected in the bottom of the refuse container from spilling out and further so as to prevent any liquid collected within the bottom of the container or any other refuse for that matter, from blocking the inlet opening so as to impair the operation of the vacuum hose in the withdrawal of refuse.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for extracting and collecting refuse from refuse containers and the like wherein refuse is collected directly from a refuse container by means of a vacuum hose fitted over and upon the refuse container and being coupled through vacuum generating means to the refuse storage means of a mobile unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for the collection of refuse comprising the steps of coupling a refuse container to a mobile refuse storage means having a vacuum generating means, through a vacuum collection hose, all of which means are mounted upon a mobile unit, positioning the free end of the vacuum hose over and upon a refuse container and thereby extracting refuse from said container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for simply and rap idly withdrawing and collecting refuse from containers and the like wherein the container is provided with inlet opening means suitable for expediting the withdrawal of refuse from the container and through hose means unter the control of a vacuum source.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for simply and rap idly withdrawing and collecting refuse from containers and the like wherein the container is provided with inlet opening means suitable for expediting the withdrawal of refuse from the container and through hose means under the control of a vacuum source and whereby said vacuum hose means is adapted to have its free end fitted within the open end of said refuse container so as to generally conform to said open end whereby the refuse within the container is rapidly extracted therefrom under the vacuum condition created by the vacuum generating means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel refuse container for use in facilitating extraction of the contents of said container by a vacuum technique wherein an opening is provided near the bottom of said refuse container and further means are provided for substantially preventing the temporary or permanent sealing of said opening so that the vacuum operation will not be impaired during extraction of the contents of the refuse container.

These as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent when reading the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile unit for collecting refuse and embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1a shows a plan view of the compactor of FIG. I in greater detail.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the vacuum suction hose of FIG. 1 showing the structure of the free end thereof in detail.

FIG. 2a is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the hose of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 2b and 2c are side views, partially sectionalized, of other alternative embodiments of the hose of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 through 7b are views showing a plurality of embodiments of refuse containers incorporating the principles of the present invention and adapted to be advantageously used with the mobile unit of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mobile unit typically having a cab 11 for housing the driver. Cab 11 is typically further provided with appropriate control (not shown for purposes of simplicity] for operating the refuse collector equipment. The rearward end of the vehicle 10 is pro vided with a storage body portion 12 for receiving the collected refuse. A high pressure blower 13 is mounted between the storage container 12 and cab 11 and may preferably be driven by an auxiliary internal combusion engine 14. Blower 13 is coupled by duct means 15 to the storage portion 12 to establish a vacuum or negative pressure condition which is further coupled to flex ible hose 16 which communicates with the storage container 12 by means of an inlet opening 17.

A hose supporting linkage assembly 18 is provided and may be comprised of a first elongated arm 19 piv otally mounted at 20 to the top wall of container 12 which arm supports and guides supporting ropes 21 and 21a. Bracing means maintain sufficient tension on the support ropes to releaseably hold hose 16 in position.

Support rope assembly 21 has its free ends connected to straps 26a and 26b which surround hose 16. A similar strap 27 embraces hose 16 in a similar fashion and is secured to the free ends of rope assembly 21a. A guiding ring 27a, joined to brace 27 is provided for guiding the hose over a refuse container.

The linkage assembly comprised substantially of components 19, 20, 21 and 21a, is provided for moving the free end of the vacuum hose assembly 16 either upwardly or downwardly, as shown by arrows A and B respectively, as well as moving the hose free end in the horizontal direction, so as to position the free end of the vacuum hose immediately above and upon a refuse container, in a manner to be more fully described.

The flexible vacuum hose is preferably of a corrugated hose type which greatly facilitates positioning of the hose to perform a refuse removal and storage operation,

As is well known in the refuse collection art, suitable means is provided for drawing air through vacuum hose ]6 and storage container 12, while providing means 28 for preventing the passage of the refuse material from storage container 12, the upper portion of storage container 12 and through duct 15 and into the blower mechanism 13. The output of blower 13 passes through dust trap DT to the atmosphere. Arrows C indicate the flow of air through the system. Screen S permits some of the air entering storage container 12 to pass into the atmosphere.

A compactor assembly 29 is positioned beneath the outlet end 16b of vacuum hose assembly 16 to drop the collected refuse into the mobile storage container 12. Assembly 29 comprises a pair of rotatable gates 101a and 101!) pivoted about suitable operating mechanisms 102a and 102]). respectively. The gates are movable between the solid line positions and the dotted line positions 101a and 1011;, respectively. A piston operated plate 103 is movable between the solid line position as shown and the dotted line position 102' by suitable piston drive means 103 and 104. In actuality, the piston drive means may comprise a pair of upper piston drive means 103.103 which may be secured to the upper corners 102, and a pair of lower piston drive means 104,104 which may be coupled to the lower corners of plate 102. The piston drive means may be operated from cab 11 by suitable controls (not shown). In opera tion, gates 101a and 101!) (which may also be controlled from cab 11) occupy the solid line position and plate 102 occupies the solid line position. The refuse passes through vacuum hose 16 and is deposited in the region between gates 10la-101b and plate 102. The control actuating the piston drive means 103 and 104 then moves plate 102 in the direction shown by arrow D to compact the refuse between plate 102 and gates 101a 1011*). The plate 102 is then moved in the direction of arrow E to return to its solid line position, or alternatively remains in position 102'. Gates 101a and 10117 are then rotated to their dotted line positions 1010' and 10112 and the piston drive means 103 and 104 are then operated to move plate 102 to the dotted line position 102" so as to push the refuse past the free ends of open gates 101a and l0lb'. Plate 102 is then moved in the direction shown by arrow E to return to the solid line position 102 and, thereafter, gates 101a and 101!) are returned to their solid line position. The gates are free to move to their solid line position without touching the refuse as a result of the fact that plate 102 has moved beyond the free ends so as to move the compacted refuse away from the path of movement of the gates as they rotate from the dotted line positions l0la'l01h' to the solid line positions 1010-1011). The compactor need not be operated after collection of each individual trash can but may be made sufficient in size so as to compact refuse collected from a number of individual refuse containers.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a flexible hose arrangement employed in the present invention, which portion represents the free end portion of the hose 16 of FIG. 1. As shown therein, the hose 16 shows a corrugated end portion thereof 30 having a carcass portion generally indicated at 31, being formed ofa selected elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber, with suit able fabric metal reenforcing imbedded therein, in a manner known in the art. A flange portion, generally indicated at 32 is disposed at, and integral with the free end of carcass portion 31.

Carcass portion 31 may be formed on a suitable man drel, in a known manner, with the elastomeric body portion 33 having the usual fabric reenforcing, indicated at 34, imbedded therein.

In addition. a wire helix 35 is provided in each convolusion of the corrugated portion to supply further reenforcement. The reenforcing wire helix may extend over the entire length of hose or may extend away from flange portion 32 by a suitable predetermined distance toward the right. The portion 34a of fabric reenforcemerit 34 is disposed adjacent the inner surface 36. The remaining portion 34b of the fabric reenforcement imbedded in carcass portion 31 lies between a second wire helix 37 and fabric layer portion 340.

The flange portion 32, is formed by the use of suitable molds, which will produce a substantially flat annular end surface 38 extending outwardly and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the hose. The annular outer surface 39 is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the hose. The front surface 40, which is bevelled, tapers from the cylindrical projecting portion 50 toward annular edge 47 which is a juncture of the bevelled surface 40 and the outer annular surface 39.

The flange portion 32 includes a novel reinforcing structure which is further comprised of a ring shaped metallic member 43 preferably formed of a ten gauge galvanized sheet or other suitable metal or metal alloy or a suitable plastic. Member 43 is of right angle crosssection as is clearly shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2 with one annular arm portion 44 being disposed inwardly of and parallel to flange surface portion 38, with the other annular arm portion 45 being adjacent to and concentric with the inner flange surface portion 360. The outer end 46 of arm portion 45 extends beyond bevelled surface 40 and into the cylindrical shaped projecting portion 50, to thereby reinforce cylindrical portion 50.

A plurality of concentric layers of rubber impregnated fabrics such as cotton duck, indicated at 47, are wrapped around a portion of the cylindrical shaped section 45 and is built up to a height substantially equal to the height of arm 44. The forwardly extending (i.e., innermost) portion 340 of fabric reenforcing 34 are wrapped about member 43 so as to substantially encircle the innermost portion of the cylindrical ring. In addition, such reenforcement is materially augmented by cord fabric reenforcing, including longitudinally extending, high tensile strands or filaments of cotton, nylon or the like. Such cord fabric reenforcing, generally indicated at 48, comprises a portion 49 disposed in carcass portion 31 adjacent inner surface 36 thereof, a portion 4911, also in carcass portion 31 lying between wire helix 37 and cord portion 49 (and preferably upon fabric portion 340), and a portion 49b wrapped about and encircling the arm portions 44 and 45 of member 43, as well as encircling the portion 34c of reenforcing fabric 34.

As a procedural manner, the wire helix portion 37 is applied after the reenforcing fabric 34 and cord fabirc 49 are laid down, enabling the wire helix portion 37 to provide excellent anchorage for the fabrics 34 and 49 and the ring 43.

A plurality of annular-shaped layers 57 of a rubber impregnated fabric such as cotton duck are placed within the rubber forming flange 32 and positioned between the left-hand end surfaces of layers 47 and the reenforcing fabric layers 34 and 49. Reenforcing fabric portion 34(- and cord portion 49b surround the layers 57 which prevent the rubber in flange 32 lying between layers 57 and tapered face 40 from becoming permanently set and further, prevent the cutting of the rubber from face 40. The layers further act as a fabric cushion" to significantly increase the springiness of the face 40.

The rubber portion forming face 40 is preferably of a pure gum rubber having a high resiliency, which characteristic enables the tapered face 40 to generally conform to the uppermost edge E of a refuse container C, only a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of simplicity.

The cylindrical portion 45 of the metallic ring 43 extends into the cylindrical shaped projecting portion 50 which, in turn, extends to a small amount into the interior of the refuse container.

When pressure is exerted against flange portion 40 by positioning the vacuum hose in a manner shown in FIG. 2 relative to the refuse container, such pressure is transmitted substantially across the entire face of arm 44 by way of ring-shaped member 43. The surface pressure is then concentrated in the immediate region oflip E, so as to compress surface 40 and to conform to the upper lip or edge E of the refuse container to provide a temporary and yet high-pressure resistance seal, with the bevelled seal surface 40 facilitating the build-up of the sealing effect between sealing surfaces.

The cord fabric utilized may preferably employ about 30 cords per inch in the warp" direction (which is parallel to the central axis of the hose) and 2-3 cords per inch in the fill" direction (which is concentric to the longitudinal axis of the hose).

The cord fabric reenforcement 48 is highly effective in affording substantially increased axial strength for hose 16 to withstand severe end pull, since its unidirectional characteristic yields a tensile strength of the order of 950 lbs. (in the warp direction), with much less bulk than that of hose duck, and provides significantly improved anchoring strength due to the wire helix portion 37 which is wrapped around portions 34a34b and 49-49a of fabric 34 and cord 49, respec tively.

FIG. 2a shows an alternative arrangement 16' for the hose of FIG. 2 wherein the projecting portion 50 is serrated at to allow debris to be sucked into the vacuum hose at the sides, as shown by arrows A, as well as at the bottom of the free end, and to avoid creation of an absolute vacuum in the vacuum hose in cases where the free end is totally immersed in the debris. As another added feature, in cases where the free end of the vacuum hose is positioned upon a refuse container C which is completely filled with debris, it may not be possible to press the free end of the vacuum hose into the container so as to have the tapered flange portion I11 bear against the upper edge E of the refuse container, the serrated portions 110 provide for a flow of air in order to initiate the movement of refuse into and through the vacuum hose 16.

FIGS. 2b and 2(- show still other alternative embodiments l6" and 16" of the vacuum hose in which the projecting cylindrical flange portion has been omitted. In the embodiment of FIG. 2b, surface 40 of flange 32 is substantially flat, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 26, the bevelled surface 40 is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 2a. The remaining structure of the free ends of hoses l6" and 16" is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 2 except that the metallic L-shaped member has a cylindrical portion 43' which is substantially shorter in length than the member 43 of FIG. 2 (i.e., the projecting portion 45 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted in the embodiments of FIGS. 21) and 2c). The flange surfaces 40 of the embodiments 16, 16 and 16", respectively, are made of a gum rubber of sufficient resiliency so as to conform to the upper edge of the refuse containers upon which they are positioned.

The successful operation of the waste removal and collection system depends upon an adequate flow of air through the waste container which may be obtained through the use of the embodiments as will be described hereinbelow:

FIG. 3 shows one arrangement for waste container C which is typically of generally circular shape, having slightly tapered side walls 6i and a circular shaped bottom or floor 62. Since refuse containers of this type are adapted to receive any form of refuse, it is typically preferred that the refuse container be of a leak-proof structure to prevent the leakage of any fluid which may be collected at the bottom of the container upon the floor or storage area in which the container is located. FIG. 3 shows two suitable arrangements, only one of which need be provided in any refuse container. The left-hand arrangement 63 is comprised of an opening 64 provided along the side wall a spaced distance above the base 62 of the container. Since refuse is quite often placed in a refuse container and compacted to a certain degree, it is important to provide means for preventing the blockage of opening 64 to permit the passage of air therethrough. This is accomplished by means of a plate 65 whose diagonally aligned edges 65a and 65b are preferably welded along the interior surface of the container side wall 61. The lower edge 65c of plate 65 is positioned a spaced distance above the base 62 of the container so as to permit free passage of air entering opening and passing beneath edge 65 in the manner shown by arrows 66 (see FIG. 3a). The right-hand embodiment 63' of FIG. 3 is substantially identical to the left-hand embodiment 63 except that plate 65 is shown as being arranged at a greater inclined angle. It should be understood that only one such embodiment need be provided in any refuse container.

FIG. 4 shows three additional embodiments which may be employed in place of either ofthe embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 3a. The arrangement 67 is comprised of a hollow tubular member 68 having an opening 68a at its upper end. The tubular member is provided with a curved portion at 68b. The bottom end is also provided with a curved portion 680 so as to have its bottom opening 68d communicating with an opening 64" in the side wall 61 of container C. The opening 64" in container C preferably lies a spaced distance above the base 62 of container C. Tubular member 68 may be welded, fastened or otherwise joined to the exterior surface of the container side wall 61. The right-hand embodiment 67' is comprised of a tubular member 68' which is similar to tubular member 68 except that the tubular member 68 is mounted to the interior surface of side wall 61. The upper end is curved at 68b whereby upper opening 68a extends through the opening 64" in side wall 61. The bottom opening 68d in tubular member 68 is preferably positioned a spaced distance above the base 62 of container C.

The remaining embodiment 70 of FIGS. 4 through 4b is comprised of an opening 64"" provided along side wall 61 a spaced distance above the base 62 of the container. A diagonally aligned shield member 71 (note also FIGS. 4a and 4b) has its topmost edge 72 and its inwardly bent side walls 73 and 74 joined (preferably by welding) to the exterior surface of the container side wall 61, with the weldments along the top edge 72 and inwardly bent side walls 73 and 74 being represented by the phantom lines 75, 76 and 77, respectively.

FIGS. and 5a show still another embodiment of the present invention in which the container C is provided with a movable plate 76 pivoted to base 62 by a pin 77 and having its opposite end extending through a narrow slit 78 provided in side wall 61 and located beneath the base 62. The free end of plate 76 extends through the narrow slit 78 and has an upwardly bent portion 76a which forms a foot or hand'operated lever. The base 62 is provided with an opening 620 to permit the ingress of air. With the plate 76 in the position shown in FIG. 5a, the opening 62a is unsealed. By moving plate 76 by means of either the foot or the hand of the operator. in the direction shown by arrow A, opening 62a may be sealed by the central portion 62b of plate 76. Opening 620 may be further provided with a small cylindrical projection 79 communicating with openings 62a and having its upper edge 79a positioned a spaced distance above the base 62 of the container so as to prevent the flow of fluid which may collect in the container. In addition, the upper surface of plate 76 may be provided with a gasket 81 to form a watertight seal for the base of the container when plate 76 is in the position which seals opening 620.

FIGS. 6 and 6a show still another embodiment of the present invention which is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. wherein the plate 76' is mounted within the interior of container C so as to overlie base 62. The plate is pivotally mounted to base 62 by a pin means 77'. The free end of plate 76 is bent at 82 to form an upwardly extending portion 83 and is further bent at 84 so as to extend through an elongated slit 85 provided along the side wall 61 of the container so as to have the straight portion 85 of plate 76' extend therethrough. The free end of plate 76' is bent downwardly to form a foot or hand-operated lever portion 87. Slit 86 in the side wall 61 of the container is positioned well above base 62. The enlarged portion 76b of plate 76' is provided with an upwardly extending flange 88 to push any refuse lying upon the enlarged portion 76b of plate 76' away from the opening 620 provided in the base of container C.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention in which the base 62 in container C is provided with a centrally located opening 620. A cylindrical shaped member 90 is provided with slits. perforations or openings around its cylindrical side walls. FIG. 7 shows the cylindrical member 90 as being provided with a plurality of slits 91. The top surface 92 seals the top of cylindrical member 90 while the bottom opening communicates with the centrally located opening 620 provided in the base 62 ofthe container. An alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 7a shows the cylindrical shaped member 90 as being provided with diagonally aligned cars 93 overlying the openings or slits 91 to prevent refuse from being pressed against the openings so as to permit the free flow of air as shown by arrows 94.

FIG. 7b shows a slightly modified embodiment in which a short cylindrical section 96 communicates with the opening 620 in base 62. A truncated cone shaped member 97 having a top 98 is sealed to the truncated cone shaped member. The tips provided along the bottom edges ofthe conical shaped member 99 are welded or otherwise secured to the interior surface of base 62. The bottom curved edges 100 form a plurality of openings which permit the flow of air through opening 62a as shown by the dotted lines 101.

It can be seen from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for extracting and collecting refuse from refuse containers wherein a vacuum hose is inserted above and upon a refuse container having a suitably arranged opening near the base thereof to permit the free flow of air through the container to thereby facilitate vacuum extraction of the refuse. Suitable means are provided in the container to prevent sealing of the opening by compacted refuse. The free end of the vacuum hose is designed so as to conform to the upper opening in the refuse container and thereby provide a relatively airtight coupling between the vacuum hose and the container to facilitate vacuum extraction of the refuse.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in 9 10 the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by to a refuse storage container; the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appenditi i th free d f the ho above d upon ing claims. the open-ended refuse container; and

what is Claimfid isi drawing air from said refuse container to thereby A method for trading refuse from P cause the movement of air from the free end of the ended refuse container having a base and an air inlet hose toward said Storage Container whereby the opening near the base to facilitate the passage of air therethrough, comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible vacuum hose having a flanged portion on 0m: end thereof and Spaced inwardly l0 tamer whereby air is drawn into the inlet opening th f whereby Said one end may be Sea|ed to and refuse is extracted from the container is a wide range of open end shapes and sizes of said passed through said hose and is collected in said refuse container; storage container coupling the other end of said flexible vacuum hose free end of the hose forms a temporary substantially airtight seal with the top of the refuse con- 

1. A method for extracting refuse from an open-ended refuse container having a base and an air inlet opening near the base to facilitate the passage of air therethrough, comprising the steps of: providing a flexible vacuum hose having a flanged portion on one end thereof and spaced inwardly therefrom, whereby said one end may be sealed to a wide range of open end shapes and sizes of said refuse container; coupling the other end of said flexible vacuum hose to a refuse storage container; positioning the free end of the hose above and upon the openended refuse container; and drawing air from said refuse container to thereby cause the movement of air from the free end of the hose toward said storage container whereby the free end of the hose forms a temporary substantially airtight seal with the top of the refuse container whereby air is drawn into the inlet opening and refuse is extracted from the container, is passed through said hose and is collected in said storage container. 